Another NHL Head Coach Fired this Season as Devils Replace Lindy Ruff
In the midst of a season where the New Jersey Devils are playing well below expectations, General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has decided a major shakeup is needed. That's been accomplished through the firing of head coach Lindy Ruff.
The Devils made the announcement this afternoon, and wasted no time naming Ruff's replacement. It is Travis Green, former head coach of the Vancouver Canucks who was serving as an associate to Ruff.
"I hold our entire organization to the highest levels of accountability to focus on being a competitive team that expects to be a perennial playoff contender. Unfortunately, we are not currently at that level, and I needed to make this decision.
This was an extremely difficult conversation to have with Lindy based on the relationship that he and I have. He was the right coach to develop our young players on the ice, and above all else, he is a tremendous person." - New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald.
This was an extremely difficult conversation to have with Lindy based on the relationship that he and I have. He was the right coach to develop our young players on the ice, and above all else, he is a tremendous person." - New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald.
As TSN Insider Pierre Lebrun points out, Ruff is the second head coach this season to be fired shortly after signing a contract extension.
"Ruff signed a contract extension back in the fall.
So 2 coaches who signed extensions early in the season, Ruff and Todd McLellan, both fired months later."
So 2 coaches who signed extensions early in the season, Ruff and Todd McLellan, both fired months later."
The Devils currently sit eight points outside of a wild card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 22 games left to play.
| POLL | ||
Is this the right move by New Jersey? | ||
| Yes | 163 | 41.3 % |
| No | 185 | 46.8 % |
| Not sure | 47 | 11.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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